Heung-Min Son: ‘We’ll be ready’

As we move closer to the return of Premier League football in a fortnight’s time, Heung-Min Son says he and the rest of the players are “getting there” in their bid to prepare themselves for the first game back.

The phased return to training in the wake of the season’s suspension due to coronavirus has seen the squad carefully eased back to work at Hotspur Way – with important safety measures still in place – in the build-up to our home fixture against Manchester United on the newly-announced date of Friday 19 June (behind closed doors, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8.15pm).

Dates have also been confirmed for our home fixture against West Ham and the away trip to Sheffield United.

Flying forward Son was forced out of action a little earlier than the bulk of the group, having suffered a fractured arm in our 3-2 win at Aston Villa on 16 February that required surgery. He’s also since completed three weeks of mandatory military service in South Korea.

Now that he’s back and fit again, he feels we’re in good shape ahead of the United test – the first of our nine remaining games of the campaign.

“I’m fine personally, I’m training hard without protection (for his arm), so I’m doing really good, training with the group,” he said. “I’m working really hard on my muscle level, it’s nearly there.

“Everyone should stay safe, that’s most important, we did it and now we are going step by step. Now we can train all together. Harry (Kane) is back, Moussa (Sissoko) is back, Stevie (Bergwign) is back, everyone is in good shape and everyone wants to play again, everyone is motivated to play again. Of course, we can’t promise we’ll win every game, but we will try and as soon as the games are on, everyone will be ready. With nine games to go, we have to get as many points as possible and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”

Of course, everyone’s safety is paramount when football returns. With the games set to be played behind closed doors, how does Son feel?

“Slowly, still, we’re missing something still (without supporters in attendance), because it’s not like ‘normal’ normal, but it’s a good sign, we’re getting there, slowly, slowly. I said before, all the time, human health is most important. We’re getting there but we have to be careful with everything. Everyone wants to play. We want to play, and I hope as soon as possible we (players and fans) can see each other, we can smile at each other, we can celebrate again with each other. This is my goal and my wish for everyone to stay safe and to be healthy and then we’ll see you soon.”